My family is totally amazing and often times crazy with their “do it or you should just go curl up and die” attitude.

When My Great Grandfather turned 90 we celebrated his life with a huge party. His health was not great and he was in a wheel chair. None of that stopped us from swinging him around the dance floor and I can still see the smile on his face from that day. But, what I remember most about my great grandparents is that they were so full of life. It has been about 10 years now since they have been gone and I still feel them impacting the way I do things. The presence of their attitude has yet to leave me. Often I find myself smiling when I know I have done something the way one of them would have (it is kind of long running joke to be a little quirky like my great-grandfather).

The loss of such people in my large and extended families lives has really had a dramatic effect. I hope one day that my children’s children’s children say such a thing about me.It has members of my family exploring the planet, living out their passions, loving fully and of course marking things off that great and powerful “BUCKET LIST”.

FOR EXAMPLE

My 84-year-old great-uncle and ____ year old, gorgeous great-aunt (shhh, it is never polite to speak of a woman’s age). Have done more in these last few years than I have in my entire life and they are not stopping. Retirement is usually known for its lazy days, retirement homes with shuffleboard games, and dwindling pensions/social security to fund it all with. Not for my relatives! Instead of sitting back they decide to do a 5K run.

These two people have managed to put a bee in everyone’s bonnet (love that saying). This seemingly harmless 5k run has turned into a family event. It has motivated those of us that have forgotten to push ourselves into joining in on the excitement. The pride of supporting others, the strength of enduring and overcoming, the sheer adrenaline for encouraging others, among other things has all started to snowball in this family. Plans are in the works to join in, little did I know placing a “fulfill bucket list” was going to be placed at the top of my own personal Bucket List.

It all just make me realize that we are all so intertwined. One persons life fishes in and out of yours creating a web that makes you stronger. A give and take relationship if you will, that fuses you together and what you are left with is nothing short of amazing. I know I am so lucky to have the people in my life that constantly re-enforce such behaviors of love, care, devotion, compassion, understanding, support, nurturing, growth, learning, and just overall living a good life.

I am so proud of my family for doing what they do. Family is the tendrils that start us growing into who we become. I know not all family is traditional. Mom, dad, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, whatever kind of people who establish those beginnings. As a parent I think about all of this so often. The kind of mom I am and what my background does for me or my children. People like my Great Aunt and Uncle remind me how I need to focus my energy into doing even those things I only think about. How about you?

Have you positively helped build someone else’s web today? Have you thought about your Bucket List (I have 2, more on that another day) and what you could accomplish in your lifetime?